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But the Limited Brands founder and philanthropist struggled with what to say after Ohio State
trustees decided yesterday to rename the university’s medical center in his honor.

“It is humbling and, in a way, thrilling,” a tearful Wexner said. “I need to process it. Mostly
what I feel emotionally is a kind of ‘Why me?’ ”

Wexner, 74, said he never expected to be recognized for the time (uncounted), leadership
(immeasurable) and money (approaching $200 million) he’s devoted to his alma mater. He said he owes
the university for his success.

“I had debts to pay, and I just planned to go quietly about paying those debts,” he told
The Dispatch. “You don’t expect once it’s paid to be acknowledged for the work, and the
fun, that you’ve had. So, it’s very special.”

A 1959 graduate of Ohio State, Wexner said the school opened his eyes to the world and the
impact he could have on it.

“Attending this university changed my life, and I continue to witness the incredible potential
this institution has to do the same thing for others,” he said.

The hospital, which is undergoing a $1.1 billion expansion, now will be known as the Wexner
Medical Center at Ohio State University.

Campus officials said the new name is just a small way to thank one of Ohio State’s biggest
visionaries and cheerleaders.

“Les is a singular leader who shows with the Ohio State University a passion for what can and
what will be,” Trustee Alex Shumate said.

Wexner’s “strategic vision and clarity of purpose” have helped Ohio State take great steps
forward, President E. Gordon Gee said, pointing in particular to the hospital’s growth.

“He’s nothing short of extraordinary. Subsequent generations will benefit from his spirit of
generosity,” Gee said.

Wexner called the medical center the backbone of the university.

“I have every confidence that the complex medical challenges confronting us today will be solved
at the Ohio State University through the collaboration among researchers and scientists from a
broad spectrum of specialties,” he said.

There’s a personal connection, too, for Wexner and his wife, Abigail: All four of their children
— Harry, Hannah, David and Sarah — were born in the medical center.

Both of the Wexners have been heavily involved in helping the hospital grow. Mrs. Wexner serves
on the medical center’s board of directors.

Their greatest gift has been their “remarkable leadership,” Gee said.

Wexner has served 16 years on the board of trustees. He wrapped up his second term as chairman
yesterday when the board chose Robert H. Schottenstein to lead the trustees for the next two years.
(Wexner remains on the board.)

A $100 million gift from the Wexners and the Limited Brands Foundation is the largest single
donation in Ohio State’s history. Most of the money will be used for the university’s medical
center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

The donation also will benefit the Wexner Center for the Arts, which opened in 1989 after he
contributed $25 million. His company has added $50 million since then.

So far, Wexner and his wife have given the university about $30 million of the $100 million
pledge, which was promised over nine years. “We want to make good on our promise as quickly as
possible,” Wexner told
The Dispatch.

Beyond his personal contributions, Wexner has worked through the years to financially strengthen
Ohio State, including helping to expand the university’s endowment above $2 billion.

Gee called it a time-honored tradition to name campus buildings and programs for university
benefactors, but he emphasized that the Wexners are being celebrated for their lifetime of service,
not just for their donations.

“I joke that every time I receive a lot of money, I cry ... and I’ve got a lot of tears left,”
he said, hinting that the school always is looking for donors.